I HEART Cats Saturday

Saturday here in Dallas. Hmm. Doesn't the cat kinda say it all?  Cat doesn't worry about makin' terra cotta pots pretty, paying the mortgage or debate whether to buy exercise equipment or order Pizza Hut Pan Pizza. Nope. Cat decides if food dish is filled to her satisfaction. And if her litter box stinky-free so can go and do  her business and make the litter box just as it was before. Then cat will decide if I am worthy enough for her to curl in my lap, scratch up my legs while she makes her one brand of biscuits and possibly purr to signify I've done what a good job--for now. 

And ya know what?  I would not have my Saturday any other way. 

Saturday Sun

Chilly Dallas day, yet my cat MaxMaxx was able to catch a spot of sun. MaxMaxx is my "Big Baby Boy." I think he still believes he is a kitten, even tho my back breaks when I try to pick him up. :)














After I ran my errands, which included to buy a new vacuum cleaner, I came on back home. MaxMaxx was pretty much in the same position. And a new vacuum cleaner was nowhere in my purchases. New lipstick was. Yet no vacuum cleaner. Hmm. Imagine that.
Saturday is OK fine for the cat and me.

At its Finest....

That's what Saturday is. Especially if it includes this wide load kitty aka my Tuxie baby big boy: MaxMaxx. Been together since late 2006. MaxMaxx is bundle of sweet purrin' love too. Snapped the photo this morning as the Saturday sun eased on in thru the window and made its mark on MaxMaxx. Nice.

MaxMaxx sits on the arm of the couch, as I watch TV and try to paint some terra cotta pots. When he gets tired there, MaxMaxx is glued to my side.

He's a pretty cool cat. Yep, MaxMaxx makes a Saturday just that much finer!

Saturday Shines

And such a beautiful Saturday morning it is here in Dallas. The cat has the right idea. Opened windows for everyone! I tell you what, having these few days off from work have been nothing less than Heaven. The million things I planned to do on these days off--well, I've made a dent in. Truly. Today I do need to dash and buy a new printer. The one I had, which was free--has paper jam which I can't find where any more paper is jammed. I've even removed dust. A couple weeks ago, the printed started to hum before it made its louder than usual loud noise before it printed. The printer drank more ink than I did frappucinos. The printer was given to me by a chum 6 months ago. It sat in the unopened box for a year or two. So I've gotten my money out of it! After the printer stuff gets done, I need to write my autobiography for one of my classes. Only 6-7 pages. Wow. My life in 6-7 pages. Talk about Reader's Digest Condensed version! Nonetheless, it is a splendid day the Lord has made. And I gotta go out and rejoice in it!

Saturday Shines

This is in my backyard. Right now. Right as I type this. I think--key word--think, it's a tiger lily. Anybody want to confirm or tell me what it is? Today was a gorgeous day in the neighborhood! The sun did shine, no wind and about 75 degrees-just right, as the baby bear would say! One of the sweet things today, was going to a book signing for one of my writers' group members. She is 80 years young. Breast cancer survivor and just as vibrant as she oughta be. Very proud of her. As she is proud of her Scandinavian heritage, which is what her book is about. The life of a Viking girl name Gudrid. Have a I read it? Well, no--the author knows I haven't. I've read parts of it. We helped her tweak it. Nice lady. We all want to be like her when we grow up! Back to the flower. I've thought these last few days of somehow miraculously get another house. A newer one. With so many on the market, yet to sell mine would be hard. Then I look at my backyard, which is the reason--I bought this house, and wonder how I could even think about leaving? Then I ponder if some of these plants could be transported--if I did miraculously got another house? The little lady who lived here, with her husband and raised her 3 sons, loved her flowers. Where these flowers are in a bed, where she mix and matched flowers. Something blooms all year round. It ones of those things I ponder about. Oh well, when the time is right... In the meantime, I can say Saturday did so shine!

Just a Few

On a gorgeous Saturday, as I toiled with school work, these kitties kept me company. They perched by my PC monitor. You can tell one of em is kind of a wide load! :) His purr is as big as his hind side!

Anyway, once the school work was done, I headed out to enjoy the day. Splendid, spectacular day!

On of my stops was at a theatre to see Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?" Parts of it were quite good, because I saw improvement in Tyler's writing and direction. And I marvel at Janet Jackson. She whispers so when interviewed, like on Leno and Oprah, for instance--yet in this...something so different. Janet has mentioned this movie was being filmed around her brother Michael's death. I feel that you will feel her pain...I did.

I admire Tyler for all he puts into his movies, however there are times I wish he'd let somebody else direct and/or co-write the script, then Tyler could concentrate on his own acting. Just a thought. Oh, and I will say--at one point I had a big ol' smile on my face. If you go see "Why Did I Get Married Too" I bet you'll know when it was, because it just rocked me over. As did everybody in the theatre.

That's it for now. Just a few on this Saturday. The sun still shines and gotta go enjoy it some more!

Hoop Saturday

The day started with rain. Lots of it. It stopped, yet and the rumor of snow seemed to stop right along with it. The wind had other ideas tho. On to my day, which included my Writers' Group.

During our session, I realized I write everyday for school, my blogs, Facebook, and any other e-mails that don't fall into the Facebook file. What I've not done, is write as much on my fiction. My goal was to finish a draft of my novella by my birthday (that's April 8th, to the rest of my world). It can still be done..uh...yes...it can.. :)

Then back at home, I had to complete a school assignment, while I waited for the University of Kansas vs University of Northern Iowa NCAA Mens' Basketball Tourney game to commence. Imagine my dissatisfaction the Dallas area wasn't carrying the game.

Well, today I realized how much I LOVE technology! Headed to the PC. Pulled up my school assignment, while I went to CBS.com to pull up the game. For the first time, pretty much ever, I sat in front of my PC and watched a entire game! Little team from Northern Iowa, let's call Team David slew Team Number 1 in the Country Goliath aka Kansas 69-67.

Who knew? Nobody saw it coming. Except maybe the team, UNI fans and me. Yesterday, I informed a co-worker, who is a Kansas Jayhawk alum, that UNI had a chance. He gave me a look of, "Are you crazy?" For a few moments, I forgot how good lookin' he is.

Still, nice to know the ones thought most weak, are indeed can be the most strong!

Congrats to the University of Northern Iowa Panthers!

**** Update***** The snow rumor wound up being TRUE! It's 10:15PM as I write this. The weatherman told how it was snowing about 30 miles north of me. I peeked out my window. VOILA! A light blanket of snow. Does not cover the all the grass--yet snow on the First Day of Spring in Texas nonetheless! Miracles never cease, just ask the University of Northern Iowa!

And Wrap

Drank my water.

Talked myself into NOT adopting a puppy dog. Yet got info to volunteer for the puppy dog rescue during adoption days.

Ate pumpkin pie. Now tired of pumpkin.

Pondered the thought of writing a brand new story, instead of re-visiting an already written short story. What I oughta do is sit down and just write another book.

In the meantime, I wrap up this Saturday with a big bow and send it off to memory land, for it is about done.

A good day had by all.

It Happens

I cried at a movie. No, not any boo-hoo, soak up a box of tissues over 'Love Story" sob or even the misty colored water memory cry when Barbra says good-bye to Robert at the end of "The Way We Were." Nope. I got weepy at Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" today.

Yea, I'm shocked too. As much as I admire Tyler, I mean for a time, the guy lived out of his car-yet, I wish he'd edit his movies just a little bit more. Try to have so many people in the story, so you really don't know the characters, and then try more to tie it all together. Their was a difference with this movie. Tighter. Better acting, especially the kids, with a pretty good story. Madea showed up for comic relief. And Madea was funny, however, in my opinion-Tyler didn't need her. I thought the same thing in "Madea Goes To Jail." That particular movie had two good stories. but they weren't blended very well. I wanted to know about the hooker with a heart of gold (once up on time Rudy Huxtable) than Madea in the slammer. That's just my bag of popcorn opinion.

And "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" was a alot better, yet...All in all, I sniffed, wiped my eyes, smiled and nodded my head in agreement. This is the first time any of Tyler's work got me to do all that.

Goes to prove, it happens.

Saunter Saturday

Let me get this right. I drink my 74 ounces of water yesterday and somewhere along the way dog fighter Michael Vick signs on with the Philadelphia Eagles as back up QB. Sure, other folks that have broken the law, served time and got a second NFL chance Ray Lewis anyone? Even tho he didn't go to jail eventho he had serious charges against him-but did reach an out of court settlement.

When I listened to Michael Vick, I heard no remorse. He says he knows he has an opportunity. For me, it's all about actions. I hate what he did. Maybe I'm too much of an animal lover. Maybe I let it get to me too bad. Maybe I know when Michael Vick throws his first long TD pass, folks will cheer. While Pete Rose remains banded from baseball. I still don't get that.

It makes me sick enough to know 74 ounces of water won't make me feel better.

So Part II

Had a great day today. Some things are still tough, yet I know where to put my trust. My head has cleared in some areas. Maybe the treadmill and bike have helped there! :)

Also been pensive about this blog. As much as I love to put my words out there about every day, I think of pulling back. Maybe not so many days a week or just when ever...

I don't know.

Blue Bell Cookies n Cream ice cream will help the decision.

Stay tuned.

So Much Soak

Rain. Lots of it. Came home and saw some trim from my carport on the ground. As was the branch that, I'm sure, helped it down. Major storm blew through Dallas. Enough wind to cause the Dallas Cowboy training facility's roof to collapse. Stories still filter out. Rookie training cap was going on. Right now, I've heard of not too many serious injuries. Stay tuned. And say a prayer.

For me, from Friday morning until about 1:15pm today, had no internet, land phone or TV. However, I could watch stuff I'd DVR'd, so all was not lost. My stuff is a Verizon FiOS bundle. I just blew it off yesterday morning, when I had no channels--just thought Verizon had some internal prob going on and would be fixed by the time I got home.

Wrong.

By the time I got home from work, it was too late for a tech to come out. He showed today about 11:20ish and left about 1:15 pm. Replaced my outside unit, plus my battery pack inside--amongst my clutter in that back bedroom. Oh well, it's MY clutter. About 10 mins after he finished--and everything worked- I headed out to meet chums for meeting/lunch. We sat and munced burritos as said storm blew in. Rain pounded the eatery's windows hard enough for the clock on the inside was pushed away from it.

Anyway, all is good. I'm safe. TV works as thunder roars, lightening brightens, plus rain rinses and it's still the weekend. Saturday the calendar says. So let's cue alittle Sir Elton John who tells us what Saturday is allright for:

Tweak

Mentioned on Twitter. So therefore I tweet. Yet, still don't get the jest, so I feel like twit.

Thought I was up so uptown when I began a blog. Turns out, I was already behind the times. On Facebook for MONTHS, before I started to do anything there. Had to reset my password I don't know how many times. Still don't mess with all the little requests and such they have--except to play Word Twist and Scrabble with Movie Man. I do like the past and present c0ntacts made. Then after all that--comes Twitter.

I follow Oprah and Tom Hanks' tweets. Still try to figure out if can only leave them direct messages if they follow me too. Well, that ain't gonna happen any time soon. Oh, did I mention I follow Donny Osmond too?

Donny and I still need to sit down, chow and chat. See, I need to remind him how a bunch of us crammed in the service elevator space of the 30th Floor in the Las Vegas Hilton. We hoped to sneak a peek of our fave, since this was right outside the Osmonds' suite. And then Donny can explain how once in Provo, Utah, as a Baskin Robbins stood right next door while he informed us of his love for pralines and cream ice cream-that he never treated?

Now headed back to Twitter to tweet. Can't wait until I quit feeling like a twit. Gotta savor Blue Bell Cookies n Cream ice cream while a cat fights me for it. In the meantime let's showcase a Saturday song: Havin A Party, by those Osmonds....and check out the choreography!

Saturday Scene

I've enterted the age of Twitter.
And need I say I really don't get it? I'm on Facebook too and still not grasped its concept.
Sure, I've been in contact with folks I've not been in contact with for years, but...
Almost as if folks have abandoned e-mails. Just like e-mails, then text messages took the place of that old fashioned invention: the telephone.
You remember the telephone? When all it did was just ring?
And your parents told you to carry a dime for the pay phone?
I'm told being on Twitter and Facebook will help network my writing and other ventures.
Really?
Guess that comes in time.
See, on Twitter gotta a couple followers, which includes two furry critters. This is after my week or so being a member.
As for Facebook-Alot of memories from the fast and furious high school days in a small central Iowa town.
It's not all bad.
On Facebook, I can play Scrabble with somebody either cross town or cross county.
That's cool even tho I still lose!

So Saturday

Had my HTW Writers' (aka Critique Group) Meeting today. The HTW stands for "Honor The Words." Our encouragement, conversation and laughter tangoed through the air! We're all excited since a member will be part of a new Chicken Soup for the Soul. This is for Twins (which she is) and other other multiples. We kidded her how she owes us our fee for critiquing it! Her story was picked to be one of only 101 chosen for this Chicken Soup! We hope by our next meeting she may have a copy of it--which goes on sale March 10.

As for me. It's Saturday. Gorgeous day. Still coming down from the chocolate pecan ice cream pie buzz I had at our meeting. My gut tells me I need to take an avid interest to get back on my diet. Indeed, love yourself at all costs, however even I'm not keen of hips wide enough to show a double feature. :)

Nonetheless, a wonderful day. Took me back to a time in 1976, when Saturday Nights meant to shag the drag (Happy Days was BIG then, so we had 50's lingo), mingle with chums and drink g Pabst Blue Ribbon (we were legal then). Ya know, the important stuff.

Cue up a corny, but make ya smile kind of song: Bay City Rollers and : S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y Night!

Starter Saturday

Did something I've not done in a while....a long while. Stay in bed on a Saturday morn and TV. I know...I know...where have I been? Hmm. Guess up and out or some such. It's a cloudy, windy and dreary today, so bed appeared the right place to me. I woke up to a herd of cats glued to my sides. One purred so loud, another snored. Anyway, I hit the remote to find out today's weather forecast-then I flipped channels--a blessing or curse of over 200 channels?--I landed on the USA Network and was hooked for an hour.

A new must see TV show for me: Starter Wife staring Debra Messing. I chuckled as I munched my breakfast of peanut butter sandwich and orange. How did I miss this show? I'll catch up with episodes online. Thank goodness for technology!

Now if you will excuse me, gotta get ready for my writers' group.

Saturday Sounds...

of a cat's meow----my guess to be fed. :)

Had my Writers' Group today. Encouragement all around. Makes me more determined to get my words more out there. To submit. Like that feeling.

Our meeting was close to where I use to live, so I took a jaunt to the park I use to walk around-daily. I do miss that park. I especially miss the bench I'd sit on. I called it my Forrest Gump bench. It was under a tree, and I'd sit there after I did my laps. I'd talk to God, pet the dogs that passed with their humans and met some folks that I only saw once. I do miss that park bench. I wanted to traipse around the park's path, however the little time I sat there, the heat boiled me. I figured maybe some weekend morning, I'd make it over there--for old time's sakes. I wanted to knock on the door of the my old apartment and ask the new tenants if their electric bills were as high as mine once were.

I guess it was a trip back to where I once was. Not really wanting to go back--yet there was something.

There's a park not far from me now. I can feed the ducks, turtles and such. Yet-that park, right my old apartment. It helped me get well--physically and mentally and spiritually. I miss it. But for those few minutes--I was at the place I was suppose to be.

Then I hopped in my orange Julius (that's the car's named) and headed the twenty-some miles to my house. First thing inside, I heard the cat's meow. Even a quick lick on my ankle. Once I poured the kibble in their feeder--I was ignored. :)

I am home.

Saturday Catch Up...

Movie Man I played racquetball at High Noon today. Says he feels joy as he sees my technique improve. I didn’t need 911. Good improvement for me. Movie Man made me work the room. Said I gave up on some shots. Well, sure, because he didn’t put the ball in a spot where I was SURE to hit it! Instructed me how to think about where the ball should go instead of just “can I hit it?” Our games go to 21. Did I mention he spotted me 14 pts and gave me two serves to his one?

Still I lost. Every game.

Nonetheless, Movie Man says I’ve gotten better. I know it can’t be that much fun for him, since I’m not quite on his level. Yet, he’s been patient—he’s had too. Movie Man is headed to his best friend’s wedding in Orlando tomorrow, He’ll gone for the week. So no racquetball next Saturday, unless I get another chum to go.

Wait-Saturday is the book club I’m hosting in which I need to finish the book. Just about 300 pages to go. Before I tackle that, I need some ice cream and watch Friday’s episode of Young and the Restless…...

To the 70's

Wore this dress to work the other day. While Movie Man and I stood in a hallway, this Young Lady, with a need-sunglasses-for-her smile-approached. Our chat went a little like this:

Young Lady: I just love your dress!

Me: Thank you.

Movie Man: Stood in silence

Young Lady: Yea, you look so 70’s! So vibrant! I love it! (Her smiled widened. Sunblock anyone?)

Me: Well, my goodness, I never thought that. So thank you again!

Movie Man:

Stood in silence.

Young Lady: I bet the 70’s were fun! I wish I’d been there.

Me: Well, I kind of was.

Movie Man: Oh yea, she WAS there.

Young Lady: I guess I was there, too. Just don’t remember them.

Me: I do remember the 70’s, it’s the 80’s that are a little fuzzy….

Movie Man: Stood in silence, yet smirked

Young Lady: You were there? WOW!

Me: Stood in silence and nodded

Movie Man: Yea, she knows the 70’s quite well. (His smirk covers his face)

Young Lady: Tell me, did you have fun then? I just bet it was the best! Was it?

Me: (my own smile grew) I had a ball!

Movie Man: Yes, yes, I bet you did. (a touch of sarcasm)

Young Lady: I thought so. (Her eyes have a far off 8-track and 10 cent stamps yester-decade look)

Me: OK, so what year, in the 70’s, were you born?

Young Lady: 1975

Me:

Just stood in silence, gulped, smiled and nodded

Movie Man: (laughs) Hmm, she’s older than me.

Young Lady: Well, I need to go. Y’all have a great day. (Her smile blinds the room)

As she saunters away, I look at Movie Man. His smile almost rivals hers.

Movie Man: So, what were you doing when she was born? (He waits. His eyes sparkle with mischief. He knows me too well).

Me: (Paused to ponder). In 1975, I went to a party. Got drunk for the first time. Passed out in bed of a pick-up truck. Been at the party for a half hour.

The 70’s—a memory that can’t be duplicated--not sure I want them too. :)

Chevy Chit Chat...

As I coasted to a red light and began the search for my Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits CD, I noticed the car stopped beside me. Twas a Black Chevy HHR LT, the same model I have—and a woman sat strong behind the wheel. I rolled down my window and told her I was checking out her car. Didn’t tell her that even tho her chariot was quite sharp, doused in black, mine, with its Citrus Sunburst, aka orange, pigment sparkled more on this Dallas afternoon.

During that red light, we discussed gas mileage, space to carry her three grandbabies and whatever else we could fit in there, the articles about the HHR’s high rankings, and the fact we both didn’t fall in love at first sight with it-however look at us now! After our Chevy Chit Chat we wished each other a great night, rolled up the windows, and hit the gas as the light turned green. .

And the Doobie Brothers? They poured a little ‘Blackwater’ in the car as I zipped on to my next destination.